Display sign



Sept. 94 G. H. EVANS 2,214,411

DISPLAY SIGN Filed Jan. 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 G. H. EVANS 2,214,411

DISPLAY sm 2 Sheets-s 2 Patented Sept. 10, 1940 I our STATES PATENT orrics DISPLAY sreN George H. Evans, Washington, D. 0., assignor of one-half to Richard K. Stevens, Washington, D.C. 1

Application January 26, 1939, Serial No. 252,976 32 Claims. (01. 40-433) This invention relates to advertising signs and specific embodiments when read in connection more particularly to those signs which have movwith the accompanying drawings, wherein like able mediums associated therewith to increase reference characters indicate like parts throughthe attraction of the sign. out. It is well known that advertising signs or dis- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a display 5 plays have an increased attracting power by the embodying the prin p of e present e incorporation of various movable means and elee d Operated by a Wind motor;

ments to gain the attention of the passer-by. F re 2 is a vi w in cros i n f h p- Many designs and,arrangements have been used porting d up me 0 the reflector in an effort to provide an attractive motion effect, be s u ed in the p l but these arrangements have frequently proven Figure 3 s a V w n el va ion Of an e ectr c impracticable due to their cost of construction motor nd pl n f r v n the reflector m mand/or operation and because of their frequent e in the p y;

failure to function. Figure 4 is a View in cross-section of modified Accordingly, it is an object of the present inpp n an plin m n ed in convention to provide a display having motion effects junction with an electric motor;

associated therewith which are extremely attrac- Figure 5 is a v w n p p c iv of a h tive and greatly enhance the value thereof. In motel" arranged to Operate the fle embe addition, it is,contemp1ated that these movable used in the p y a d t t r av s lfeffects may be produced at a relatively low cost adjustable van s t r u at th sp ed thereof; 20

and operated at a minimum. Furthermore, while and the motion effects greatly enhance the display, Figure 6 is a View in Cross-Section Of a Va e they are produced with a minimum number of used in the heat mOtOT Shown in Figure i parts which are arranged so as to substantially Referring Specifically to Figure a d p y Y 2.5 overcome the effects of we r and t may be mounted on the corner of a building such Briefly, an advertising Sign may be provided as a gasoline station or the like and may comwith twisted elongated'reflecting members which Prise a reflector member I Supported Within a may be supported by suspension with a i i frame 2 with an upper end portion 3 and a lower of friction and inertia so that they may be easily end portion The reflector member 9 y be rotated by a suitable source of power. The re- 0f the p disclosed in y application for patent fleeting member may be suspended on a ball race Serial Number 236349 and y be associated and the lower end thereof positioned in any suite With an Optically effective Screen, if s r d, s able manner so as to provide a minimum of fricdisclosed in m application f r p nt erial n n, Number 216,361. The reflector I may be mounted The source of power may be in the form of on a shaft Q which may be supported within suitwind, heat or electric motor. The wind motor able bearings 5 and Carried y the d P lnay comprise a curved vaned member which 1310115 3 and This reflector y be rotated y may be secured to the shaft of the rotatable y Suitable Source O Power Such as a W d reflector by a friction coupling which supplants m t 1 which may be mounted above t upp r 40 the use of a governor to maintain the reflector end portion 3 and Supported y a ft 3. The 4 member at a relatively constant speed regard- Shaft 3 may be coupled h t e reflector shaft less of the speed of the wind motor. In the event 4 in y Convenient manner. Fleed lights 5 or an electric motor is preferred, a relatively small Other meehs illumination y be c ted motor: which is driven by batteries, may be con Within the frame 2 in any desirable a gement nected b loose coupling to the lower endof the so as to produce the most t r t ve ffect. 45 suspended shaft supporting the reflector mem- AS better Shown in Figure t e eflector 5 her. Further, illumination may be provided to Supported by the Shaft 4 y b C nected to increase the brilliancy of the reflected light dethe Shaft 3 Supporting the Wind m r 7 y a signs and the suspended reflectors may be ro- Coupling The Shaft is Suspended f om the tated by the heat generated by the illuminating p ns y a brass collar It secured to the upper 50 means. end thereof as with a set screw I i. This brass The invention both as to its organization and collar is beveled at its lower side l2 and is adapted method of operation, together with additional to snugly rest within the beveled wall 13 of a objects and advantages thereof, will best be unhardened steel collar l4 having a central aper- .derstood from the following description of the ture 15 therein to freely receive the shaft Q. The 55 hardened steel collar I4 is retained within a cup I6 as by a set screw I1, and said cup It may be secured to the lower extremity of the shaft 8 as by a set screw I8. The shaft 8 may be floatingly mounted by a collar 26 which may be secured to said shaft by a set screw 2|, said collar having its lower surface 22 beveled so as to snugly rest within the upper ring 23 of a ball race 24. The lower ring 25 of the ball race 24 may be comprised by the upper flange of a channel shaped frame 25 supported within the upper end portion 3, and may be provided with an aperture 26 in the lower portion of said frame 25' tofreely pass the shaft 8. The shaft 8 is thereby prevented from wobbling when strong air currents strike the wind motor I.

The above described construction comprises a floating suspension support for the movable members and the friction coupling between the source of power and reflector I precludes the necessity of providing more complicated and expensive mechanism such as a. governor. By centrally suspending the shafts in the ball race 24, friction and inertia is reduced to a minimum so that the various parts may be operated with the smallest possible power source. The lower end of the reflector shaft 4 may be loosely positioned by any suitable type of bearing 5 so as to cause as little friction as possible. In addition, the friction coupling 9 provides a relatively governed speed for the reflector member I due to the fact that at slower speeds the shaft 4 will turn uniformly with the shaft 8, but at higher speeds slippage will occur. Regardless of the speed of the wind motor I the reflector I will be rotated at a relatively constant speed. It is important that the reflector I be maintained at a relatively constant speed not to exceed a certain maximum in order to obtain the most attractive and desirable effect.

It is to be noted that the above described construction is extremely simple in design and incorporates a minimum number of parts. Consequently, continuous operation of the movable parts without difficulty is virtually assured. Furthermore, by forming one of the friction collars of hardened steel, which will substantially completely resist wear, and the other of brass, the continuous smooth Working of the friction coupling is also assured. Whereas the hardened steel collar strongly resists wear and tear, the brass collar will consequently wear down evenly so that binding and inoperation of the friction coupling will be prevented.

The wind motor I may comprise a relatively simple arrangement consisting of a single sheet having its opposed ends curved in opposite directions to form vanes 28 and 29. This provides a concave and convex vane' on each side of the motor, the concave vane being effective to offer the greatest resistance to the air currents and the convex vane being effective to offer the least resistance thereto. Accordingly, the air currents striking the concave vane will cause the motor I and shaft 3 torotate, the convex vane offering but slight resistance in passing the air currents off to the side, thereby permitting said rotation to take place. The vanes of the wind motor may be colored or otherwise treated to enhance their attractiveness so that they, too, may cooperate in gaining attention to the display or sign. It has been found, for instance, that coloring one side of the vanes white and the other side black or with other contrasting colors the wind motors themselves form a very attractive display and add considerably in gaining attention to the unit.

In addition to the above described means for rotating the reflector an electric motor may be used to drive said reflector if desired. In view of the fact that signs using a display of the type described may be positioned throughout the countryside and frequently where electricity is not available, it is desirable to use very small motors which may be operated by batteries, if necessary. Furthermore, if electricity is accessible, the cost of operation of these motors is so small that this feature is a negligible consideration. As the reflectors are fairly large and of considerable wind resistance and inertia, it is necessary to mount the reflectors and couple them to the electric motor so as to reduce the resistance and inertia to a minimum, thereby permitting the large reflectors to be driven by the Very small motors.

To accomplish this object, the reflectors may be suspended as above described with the exception that the friction coupling 9 is omitted, that is, the beveled collar Il] may be made to assume the position occupied in Figure 2 of the drawings by the beveled collar 20 so that the reflector I and shaft 4 will be suspended directly from the ball race 24. This provides a floating suspension support which permits the reflector to be easily rotated by the very small motors. In order to provide free movement of the reflector I, the lower end of the shaft 4 may be freely coupled with the drive of the electric motor, thereby eliminating the necessity of a bearing which would increase the friction resistance.

Accordingly, as shown in Figure 3, the lower end of the shaft 4 may be pronged to form a fork 30 having prongs 3| which extend parallel to the axis of the shaft 4 and preferably equidistant therefrom, The prongs 3| may be loosely received within apertures 32 extending through a drive wheel 43 mounted upon the drive shaft 34 of the motor 35. This motor 35 may be a synchronous motor of well known type such as is used in electric clocks and the like and connected by leads 36 to a source of electric current such as a battery (not shown) or the like. These motors are provided with lugs 31 extending from the sides thereof which may be secured to supporting blocks 38 as by screws 39, the blocks 38 being secured to the lower end portion 3' of the frame 2 of the display. By this arrangement the relatively small synchronous motor is amply strong to rotate the floatingly mounted reflector at a substantially constant speed.

The motor 35 is shown as including a gear reduction box 35' so as to reduce the speed of the drive shaft 34 to any desired number of revolutions per minute. It may be desirable to further reduce the cost of producing one of these signs by using an electric motor without the gear reduction means. In this event, the electric motor may be secured to a drive mechanism similar to that shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 4, an electric motor 40 may be mounted in the upper end portion 3 and have its shaft 4| extending downwardly through an aperture 42 in said end portion. A coupling 43 may be secured to the shaft 4| which closely resembles the hereinbefore described coupling 9. This coupling may comprise a cup member I6 secured to the shaft 4| by the set-screw I8 and contain a ball-race 44. The lower ring 45 of the ball-race 44 may be secured in the cup l6 by the set-screw I1 and the upper ring 46 may support the beveled collar I0 which 76 els 5% such as prismatised or lenticulated glass,

and means for illumination iscontained therein such as flood lights a. The heat motor may be mounted on a shaft 5i which may be coupled to the reflector shaft d in one of the above described manners or may comprise an extension thereof.

In either'event the shaft 4 may be suspended by acone-bearing 28 to which theshaft 5i may be connected and thewhole assembly suspended in the ball-bearing 25 (not shown). The heat motor may comprise an inner disc 52, secured to the shaft 5i, a plurality of vanes 53, and an outer ring M. The vanes may be pivotally mounted on shafts which extend radially from the inner disc 52 to the outer ring M. I I

By the use of these pivotally mounted vanes 53 the necessity of a governor or other speed regulating device is eliminated as said vanes 53 will automatically adjust themselves according to the speed of rotation and the force of the rising heat waves. As best shown in Figure 6, these vanes 53 may be formed in two sections, a depending section iii and a somewhat narrower upper section 58 which is positioned at an angle with respect to the depending section ll. When at rest the depending vanes 5? lie in a 45 plane and the upper vane 58 is horizontal. As the heat waves, indicated by the arrow A, arise to strike the depending vane section 51, it acts to pivot said vane upwardly but due to the weakness of the initial heat waves and the counteraction thereof on the vanes 58-, including their counterbalance, the motor is rotated in the direction of the arrow A instead. Asv the force of the heat increases it would normally act to speed up rotation of the motor; however, by the present arrangement the force of the heat waves will strike the substantially horizontal upstanding vane 58 to pivot it upwardly and the increased air resistance met by e the whole vane 53 will tend to swing the depending vane back to the position shown in broken lines, thereby increasing the resistance and decreasing the efliciency of the force of the heat waves. Consequently, this motor will rotate at a substantially constant speed.

From the foregoing description it will be readily understood that many factors may enter into the arrangements forregulating the speed of rotation of the reflector l which vary according to the type of construction and surrounding circumstances. For instance, the area and/or force of the frictional engagement may be varied by the type of contact. Likewise, the weight of the suspended element and the size and/or shape of the reflector are important factors. In addition} the type of regulator must be adjusted according to the medium surrounding the suspended element and the consequent resistance offered thereby. For instance, the resistance may be considerably greater when the element is suspended to the open air-than when suspended within an enclosed housingor less/than when suspended within a liquid wherein the viscosity of the liquid may comprise a governing feature. Furthermore, the variable speed and power of the source of motivation form deciding factors in selecting the means for regulating the speed of rotation of the reflector l.

The reflector I may comprise a. relatively large, elongated member which is twisted about its longitudinal axis, and may be formed of metal foil such as aluminum foil or the like. In .addition, the surfaces of the reflector may be crumpled or otherwise formed to present a plurality of refiecting faces. This reflector i may be mounted along its axis upon a relatively light weight shaft d which may comprise .a wire or the like. While this shaft t may be slightly flexible and of insumcient strength to rigidly support the reflector l in an upright position, it is strong enough to support said reflector by suspension. Suchv an arrangementpermits a light weight construction,

which reduces friction and inertia to a minimum. Consequently, large display units may be driven by motors of relatively low power. This feature is particularly important when electric motors are employed as battery operatable motors may be used. These motors may be of 2 watt and 3.2 watt type.

Although the reflector i has been described as an elongated metal foil strip twisted about its longitudinal axis, it will be readily understood that other types and formations of reflectors or movable members may be substituted therefor and still remain Within the essence of the invention. Many different effects may be produced by the use of various types of reflectors or display elements as above described and in the manner in which they are employed and/or driven. In constructing a sign according to the present invention, the type of display element to be incorporated therein may be chosen according to the type of matter to be advertised, the location of the sign with respect to its surroundings, and the location of the sign with respect to the observers.

Although certain specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, many modifications thereof are possible, and the present disclosure should. be ccnstrued only in an illustrative sense. The present invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirito-f the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, frictional means for movably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a source of power for moving said display element.

2. A display unit comprising a support, a dis play element, frictional means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a source of power for rotating said display element.

3. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, frictional means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, a source of power for rotating said display element, and means for coupling said suspended display element to said source of power.

4. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, means for rotatably suspending said display element from said support, a source of power for rotating said display element, and means for coupling saidsuspended display element to said source of power, said coupling means being adapted to substantially regulate the speed of rotation of said display element regardless of the speed of said source of power.

5. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, means for rotatably suspending said display element from said support, a source of power for rotating said display element, and a friction coupling connecting said suspended display element to said source of power, said friction coupling being adapted to substantially regulate the speed of rotation of said display element.

6. A display unit comprising a support, a display element comprising a reflector, frictional means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a source of power for rotating said display element.

'7. A display unit comprising a support, a display element comprising an elongated reflector twisted about its longitudinal axis, frictional means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a source of power for rotating said display element.

8. A display unit comprising a support, a relatively large display element comprising an elongated reflector twisted about it longitudinal axis and mounted upon a relatively light-weight shaft, means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof for said support, and a source of power for rotating said display element.

9. A display unit comprising a support, a relatively large display element comprising an elongated refiector twisted about its longitudinal axis and mounted upon a flexible shaft, means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a source of power for rotating said display element.

10. A display unit comprising a support, a relatively large display element comprising an elongated refiecto-r twisted about its longitudinal axis and mounted upon a relatively lightweight flexible shaft, means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a source of power for rotating said display element.

11. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and an air-current operated motor for rotating said display element.

12. A display unit comprising a support, a dis play element, means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a wind-operated motor for rotating said display element. I

13. A display unit comprising a support, a display element comprising a reflector, means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a heat operated motor for rotating said display element.

14. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, frictional means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and an electrically operated motor for rotating said display element.

15. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, frictional means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, a source of power for rotating said display element, and a light source for illuminating said display element.

16. A display unit comprising a support, a dis play element comprising a reflector, means for rotatablysuspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, a heat operated motor for rotating said display element, and a light source for illuminating said display element and generating heat to operate said motor.

17. A display unit comprising a support, a display element comprising a reflector, means for rotatably mounting said display element on said support, a heat operated motor for rotating said display element, said motor comprising a plurality of self-adjusting vanes whereby to regulate the speed of rotation of said motor according to the force of the heat waves and air resistance.

18. A display unit comprising a support, a relatively large display element comprising an elongated reflector twisted about its longitudinal axis and mounted upon a relatively light-weight flexible shaft, means for rotatably suspending said display element from said support, a source of power for rotating said display element, and a friction coupling connecting said suspended display element to said source of power, said friction coupling means being adapted to substantially regulate the speed of rotation of said display element.

19. A display unit comprising a support, a relatively large display element comprising an elongated reflector twisted about its longitudinal axis and mounted upon a relatively light-weight flexible shaft, means for rotatably suspending said display element from said support, a heat operated motor for rotating said display element, said motor comprising a plurality of self-adjusting vanes whereby to regulate the speed of rotation of said motor according to the force of the heat waves and air resistance, a friction coupling connecting said suspended display element to said motor, said friction coupling means being adapted to substantially regulate the speed of rotation of said display element, and a light source for illuminating said display element and generating heat to operate said motor.

20. A display unit comprising a support, an optically effective screen mounted thereon, a display element comprising a reflector located behind said screen to direct light rays therethrough, frictional means for rotatably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a source of power for rotating said reflector.

21. A display unit comprising a support, a display element comprising a reflector formed of metal foil, frictional means for rotatably suspending said display element from said support, and a source of power for rotating said display element.

22. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, frictional means for rotatably and adjustably suspending said display element solely at the top thereof from said support, and a source of power for rotating said display element.

23. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, a source of power for rotating said display element, frictional means associated with said support for rotatably and adjustably supporting said display element and said source of power, and coupling means for suspending said display element solely at the top thereof.

24. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, a source of power for rotating said display element, frictional means associated with said support for rotatably and adjustably supporting saiddisplay element and said source of power, and friction coupling means for suspending said display element solely at the top thereof.

25. A display unit comprising a support, a display element, frictional means for rotatably suspending said display element from said support, a source of power for rotating said display, and means associated with the lower end of said suspended display element for coupling said element to said source of power.

26. A display unit comprising a support, an aperture in said support, a display element including a support member, and a tapered bearing attached to the support member of said display element so that the tapered wall of said bearing faces said display element, the tapered wall of said bearing being seated in said aperture in said support with the support member extending through said aperture so that said display element is thereby suspended.

27. A display unit comprising a support, an aperture through said support including a bearing, a display element including a support member, and a tapered bearing attached to the support member of said display element so that the tapered wall of said bearing faces said display element, the tapered wall of said bearing being seated in said aperture bearing of said support with the support member extending through said aperture bearing so that said display element is thereby suspended.

28. A display unit' comprising a support, an aperture through said support, a display element including a support member, a tapered bearing attached to the support member of said display element so that the tapered wall of said bearing faces said display element, the tapered wall of said bearing being seated in said aperture in said support with the support member extending through said aperture so that said display element is thereby suspended, and a source of power for rotating said tapered bearing.

29. A display unit comprising a support, an aperture through said support including a bearing, a display element including a support member, a tapered bearing attached to the support member of said display element sothat the tapered wall of said bearing faces said display element, the tapered Wall of said bearing being seated in said aperture bearing of said support with the support member extending through said aperture hearing so that said display element is thereby suspended, and a source of power for rotating said tapered bearing.

30. A display unit comprising a support, a power driven shaft supported by said support, a housing secured to the end of the shaft, the end of said housing opposite said shaft comprising a cupped tapered bearing having an aperture through the center, a display element including a support member, a tapered bearing attached to the support member of said display element so that the tapered wall of said bearing faces said display element, the tapered wall of said bearing being seated within said housing in said cupped bearing with the support member of said display element extending through the aperture in said cupped bearing so that said display element is thereby suspended.

31. A display unit comprising a support, an aperture through said support, a tapered bearing seated in said aperture, a power driven shaft supported by said tapered bearing and extending through said aperture, a housing secured to the shaft opposite the support from the tapered bearing, the end of said housing opposite saidv shaft comprising a cupped tapered bearing having an aperture through the center, a display element including a support member, a second tapered bearing attached to the support member of said display element so that the tapered wall of said bearing faces said display element, the tapered wall of said bearing being seated within said housing in said cupped bearing with the support member of said display element extending through the aperture in said cupped bearing so that said displayelement is thereby suspended.

32. A display unit comprising a support, a support bearing having an aperture through the center thereof carried by said support, a display element including a support member, a tapered bearingattached to the support member of said display element so that the tapered wall of said bearing faces said display element, the tapered wall of said bearing being seated in said support bearing with the support member of said display element extending through the aperture therein so that said display element is thereby suspended, one of said bearings being formed of hardened steel and the other of brass;

GEORGE H. EVANS.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. v Patent N00 2,21L L 11, September 10, 191w.

GEORGE E. EVANS It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 11., first column, line 29, claim 8, forf'it" read -it's-; line 52, same claim, for

the word "for" read -C-from--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this; correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Officea Signed and sealed this 15th day of October, A. D. 191% 7. Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

